September 29th marks the 201st birthday of Elizabeth!
♪ ♫ Happy birthday dear authoress! ♪ ♫ Happy birthday to you!!
I love how Gaskell’s writing is so compassionately human, in her earlier works there’s a desire to increase society’s awareness of the Victorian working class. Cranford and Wives and Daughters are charming with their imperfect characters like Miss Matty with whom she shows human foibles with such gentleness; she makes you smile at the characters, love them, and feel protective towards them, as you would a dear friend.
Today also marks the first anniversary of Gaskell Blog! I knew little more about Mrs. Gaskell than what I had seen in the beautiful adaptations of her novels, and founded this blog to share as I learn. 2010-2011 focused a lot on her writing, here are some event highlights:
- 2011 Gaskell Reading Challenge
- Cranford Group Read
- The Moorland Cottage Group Read
- Ruth vol. 1 Analysis and Annotations Series
- April Showers: Daily Quotes of Elizabeth Gaskell
- Postal Delivery: Daily Quotes from Elizabeth Gaskell’s Letters
- The Picnic at Cranford, a Blog Tour (upcoming)
This next year 2011-2012 information on Gaskell’s life will have some more attention.
I write for my readers and other Gaskell enthusiasts, please, tell me what you’ve enjoyed; what you’d like more of, and what didn’t really interest you! Constructive criticism and suggestions are always welcome!
Gaskell Blog 
Just wanted to congratulate you on the anniversary. I’m about to try Gaskell (soon.) I have yet to read her works.
Thank you, Jillian! 🙂 I look forward to reading your thoughts on her works. Which do you think you’ll read first?
Thank you so much for this wonderful blog. I look forward to delving into every nook and cranny this winter during the off season of our nursery business. I’m a budding writer and Mrs. Gaskell has been an inspiration and your blog, an education! Thanks again!
My pleasure, Patricia. Thank you for taking the time to comment. 🙂 Best wishes in your writing endeavors.
Congratulation, Katherine!
You have considerable talent, much enthusiasm and wonderful taste!
I’ve enjoyed all your posts; keep them coming!
Thanks for all your time and research for this blog and for sharing your love of Mrs. Gaskell with us.
Thank you for the compliments, Barbara! I must also say thank you to Kim, my guest contributor who wrote some wonderful posts for the previous series on vol. 1 of Ruth earlier this Summer.
I meant to congratulate you sooner on your first year of blogging. You do a fabulous job. I like your discussions about everything to do with the novels, fashions included. The illustrations you find are particularly beautiful. Thanks for the work you do here!
My pleasure. Thank you Phylly! 🙂